Opto-electronic security system

ABSTRACT

An opto-electronic security system comprising an opto-electronic key device and an opto-electronic lock apparatus. The key device comprises a housing containing no source of electrical power but having means for generating a plurality of distinct preselected signal pulse trains in a predetermined manner to correspondingly activate light emitting sources, preferably operable in the infra-red spectrum. The opto-electronic lock apparatus including an electrical power source, means for receiving said key device and for supplying electrical power to said key device for energization thereof, light sensing means disposed in optical alignment with said light emitting sources and data processing means for decoding said predetermined and selected signal pulse trains of said key device as received by said light sensing means. The opto-electronic lock apparatus has a predetermined code associated therewith and being operative to electrically actuate a locking mechanism into an open position when said decoded signals are coincident with said predetermined code, and alarm means operatively connected with said lock apparatus and actuable thereby when said decoded signals are not coincident with said predetermined code.

United States Patent Primary E.\'aminer-Harold l. Pitts Almrney Agent,or Firm-Bauer & Amer Cestaro Mar. 18, 1975 OPTO-ELECTRONIC SECURITYSYSTEM [57] ABSTRACT lnvemofi victor Cestam, l9 Allegheny DR Anopto-electronic security system comprising an op- WeSt, Farmingville,11738 to-electronic key device and an opto-electronic lock [72] Filed.May 18, 1973 apparatus. The key device comprises a housing containing nosource of electrical power but having means l PP 361,807 for generatinga plurality of distinct preselected signal pulse trains in apredetermined manner to correspond- [52] CL" 340/147 MD, 34O/149 R 0/149A, ingly activate light emitting sources, preferably opera- 340/274 ble1n the infra-red spectrumJlhe opto-electromc lock [51] Int. Cl. H04q9/00 E an decimal power l mealis [58] Field of Searchm" 340/l47 R, 147MD 149 R for recelvmg said key device and for supplying electri- 34O/164R, 274; 317/134 cal power to said key device for energization thereof,

light sensing means disposed in optical alignment with [56] ReferencesCited aiddlightdemittincgl sougces and dita pirocclzssingj meansl or ecomg sat pre etermine an se ecte signa D STATES PATENTS pulse trains ofsaid key device as received by said light 3,500,326 3/1970 Beniord340/164 R Sensing means. T opto electronic lock apparatus has 33 312/1370 gf g a predetermined code associated therewith and being 3401149R operative to electrically actuate a locking mechanism 316861659 8/197Kostrom... ...mi: ..340/274 into Position when Said decoded Signals arecoincident with said predetermined code, and alarm means operativelyconnectedwith said lock apparatus and actuable thereby when said decodedsignals are not coincident with said predetermined code.

18 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures PATEI'HEU I 3,872,485

sum 1 BF 6 FIG. IA

PARALLEL k DATA 36 oB| |gE s kfigw COUNTER 3$ REGISTER L CLEAR CLOCK 283o em- 46 I 7 LED DIVIDE BY J OSCILLATOR 2 CLOCK 34 GENERATOR CLEAR 38FIG. 2 v Q E CHANISM DRIVER DIVIDE BY 8 COUNTER FIG. 3

PATENTED J 81975 sumuufgg IIIII mOwZww PATENTEB MAR I 8 i975 SHEET S [If6 mskzo w w .v n N V630 w m v m N x0040 1 OPTO-ELECTRONIC SECURITYSYSTEM CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application is arefiling of application Ser. No. 2l 1,5 l I, filed Dec. 23, l97l, nowabandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention pertains to a new andnovel electronic security system and apparatus which encompasses a newopto-electronic lock apparatus including bolt actuating circuitry.

Heretofore, electro-optical security systems and magnetic card systemsemployed, although an improvement in the art, did not provide a systemwhich was extremely difficult to pick. The use of mechanical keys havingpredeterminedly spaced openings therein for optical transmissiontherethrough was capable of duplication without a great deal ofdifficulties by those expertise in the field of picking lock andsecurity systems. The same difficulties arose in conjunction withmagnetic card security systems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is the primary object of thepresent invention to provide a new and novel opto-electronic securitysystem having an externally appearing complexity of such magnitudeasto'render the same virtually impenetrable.

It is another object of thepresent invention to provide anopto-electronic security system of the foregoing type which incorporatessolid state logic components so as to require a minimal size physicalapparatus for the system provided.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide anopto-electronic security system of the foregoing type including anopto-electronic key device and an opto-electronic lock apparatus whereinthe key device and lock apparatus are precoded and wherein said lockapparatus includes means for periodically continuously verifying thematching of the codes when the key device and lock apparatus are placedin operating relationship, so as to initially open a lock mechanism andthereafter maintain the same in an open condition.

-It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide anopto-electronic key device which does not include an electrical powersource as an integral element thereof, which is encased in a housing ofminimal size and which has the elements thereof encapsulated in epoxyafter fabrication thereof to prevent disassembly and inspection withoutdistrictions of the device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The foregoing and other object,features and advantages of the present invention will become moreapparent from the detail description hereinafter when considered inconjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of the opto-electronic key device of theopto-electronic security system which is constructed pursuant to theprinciples of the present invention;

FIG. 1B is a partial perspective view of the door of the lock apparatuscontaining a key receiving recepticle;

FIG. 2 is a functional electrical block diagram of the opto-electronickey device of the present invention and mechanically shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a functional electrical block diagram of the opto-electroniclock apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a combination electrical schematic and logic diagram of theblock illustrated functional components of the key device depicted inFIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a logic diagram of the block illustrated functional componentsdepicted in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is an electrical schematic representation of several of thefunctional block components illustrated in FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a timing chart depicting the waveforms of the datatransmission of the key device shown in FIG. 2; and

FIG. 8 is a timing chart depicting the waveforms of the data processinginformation of the lock apparatus of FIG. 3.

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIG. 1 thereof,there is depicted an opto-electronic key device 10 constructed inaccordance with the principles of the present invention. The device 10comprises a substantially rectangular shaped housing 12 having threeseparate and distinct light ports 14, I6 and 18 formed in one of thewalls 20 of the housing and whose purposes will be discussed more fullyhereinafter. The top wall 22 of the housing 12 is provided with powercontacts or terminals 24 and 26 which are adapted to be connected with asource of DC. voltage, as will be discussed hereinafter. It is herein tobe noted the key device 10 employs solid state, and in particularintegrated circuitry, so that the actual size of the same is about thatof a small cigarette lighter but of lesser weight. Thus, the key devicemay easily be carried upon a key ring.

Referring now to FIG. 2, it will be seen that the key device 10comprises an oscillator 28 whose output is connected as the input of adivide by 2 clock generator 30. Outputs from clock generator 30 are fedto a parallel to serial shift register 32, to a shift and cleargenerator 34 and to a divider counter 36 having a division factor in thepresent embodiment of 8. Outputs from the divide by 8 counter 36 are fedas inputs to the register 32 and to the shift and clear generator 34. Anoutput from the generator 34 is fed to the register 32 as the thirdinput thereof, while another output from the generator 34 is fed as aninput to the CLEAR (CLR) light emitting diode (hereinafter referred toas LED) 38 via a coupling resistor 40 (FIG. 4). Similarly, the output ofthe shift register 32 is fed to the DATA LED 42 via a coupling resistor44 while the output from the clock generator 30 is fed to the CLOCK LED46 via a coupling resistor 48. It is herein to be noted that the anodesof each of the LEDs 38, 42 and 46 are connected to a source of positivepotential via the positive power terminal 24, as will be describedhereinafter.

After the key device 10 has been placed in its operating position byinserting the same into the key receiving recepticle 47 provided in thedoor 49 of the lock apparatus (FIG. 1B), a positive potential is appliedto the power terminal 24, the astable multi-vibrator oscillator 28 whichincludes transistors Q1 and Q2 drives the 2 to 1 flip-flop counter 30which is part of an integrated circuit designated 1C4, of the SN 7473type, to generate square wave CLOCK pulses whose waveform is indicatedas 50 in FIGS. 7 and 8 and where periodicity or repetition rate isdependent upon the frequency of oscillation of the multivibrator 28.

The CLOCK pulses 50 are fed to the parallel inserial out shift register32 comprising an integrated circuit designated ICS of the SN 74166 type,via the input ter minal 7 thereof while the complementary pulses CLOCKdesignated 52 are fed to the divide by 8 counter 36, designated as IC2,via an input terminal thereof, the circuit IC2 being of the SN 7493type.

The shift register ICS is programmed with the lock combination of thecorresponding lock apparatus and which comprises BIT 1 through BIT 8 andwhich for the purposes of the present description may be assumed to bethe binary number lllOlOOl (2 33). All of the parallel inputs to theshift register are normally set at the l state corresponding to avoltage level which is either positive or negative with respect toground and are adapted to be switched to a state by the application of aground potential (zero volts) to the corresponding pin at thatparticular bit of the parallel inputs designated BIT 1 through BIT 8.

With particular reference to FIGS. 7 and 8, upon every transition of theindividual CLOCK pulses from the 0 state to the I state, a DATA bit isshifted outwardly from the shift register from left to right commencingwith BIT A" and as viewed in FIG. 4. When this occurs, the output of LEDDATA is switched off and remains in this state until the DATA pulses 54return to the 0 state. However, when power is initially applied to thesystem of FIG. 2, there will be no shifting of DATA from the registeruntil the SHIFT pulse input 55 has switchedto its 0 state (FIG. 7). Whenthe SHIFT input attains its 0 state, the parallel inputs are fed into SN7400 N type and IC3 of the SN 7410 type comprise the shift and cleargenerator 34.

The CLOCK, CLR and DATA pulses are applied to the LEDs 46, 38 and 42,respectively, which are disthe shift register IC5 during the nextsucceeding CLOCK pulse. Thereafter the SHIFT input returns to the Istate and the CLK-INH pulse 56 returns to its 0 state/Thus, no DATA canbe shifted out from the shift register until sufficient time hastranspired to permit 1 l CLOCK pulses to be counted, wherefore, actualDATA transmission commences on the twelfth CLOCK pulse. This operationprevents any spurious operation of the system which might result in thefalse activation of the alarm system of the lock apparatus, as will bediscussed hereinafter, and insures that no DATA transmission occursuntil after the system has been stabilized.

The SHIFT pulse 55 is generated by that part of counter circuit IC4which is part of the shift and clear generator 34 and on the ninth CLOCKpulse, the .I input of this flip-flopis armed" by being switched to its1 state which appears at the pin 14 of this integrated circuit. Thecount of nine (CNT 9) is gated with the ninth CLOCK pulse to generatethe INH pulse 58 (FIG. 7) which pulse is applied to the clock input ofIC4 at pin 1. When the [NH pulse 58 falls to its 0 state, the SHIFToutput 55 is switched to itsO state to commence the SHIFT pulse, as seenby FIG. 7. Upon the negative transition of the eleventh CLOCK pulsewhich is coincident with CNT l, CNT 2 and CNT 8, and thus CNT 11,counter IC4 is forced to reset at its R input when it is switched to its0 state by the application of the CNT 11 pulse 60 thereto. When thecounter [C4 is reset, the output at pin 13 thereof, which is the SHIFToutput, is switched back to its L state to end the described portion ofIC4 in conjunction with ICl of the posed in coaxial alignment with theports 14, 16 and 18 of the key device housing 12. The light transmissionfrom the LEDs is then received by the light sensing means of the lockapparatus, will now be described in detail.

With particular reference to FIG. 3, there is depicted theopto-electronic lock apparatus of the present invention which isgenerally denoted by the reference numeral 60. The apparatus 60 includesa DATA light sensing diode (hereinafter referred to as LSD) 62, a CLEAR(CLR) LSD 64, and a CLOCK LSD 66. The LSDs 62, 64 and 66 are disposed inoptical alignment with the LEDs 42, 38 and 46, respectively. The pulseoutputs of the LSDs 62, 64 and 66 are amplified by amplifiers 68, 70 and72, respectively, each of which comprises a three-stage amplificationcircuit, as clearly seen in FIG. 6.

The outputs of amplifiers 68 and 70 are fed to the input of a serial toparallel shift register 74 while the output of amplifier 72 is fed as aninput to the register 74 and to a divide'by 8 counter 76. The paralleloutputs from register 74 are fed to a decoder 78 whose output is fedsimultaneously to an and gate 80 and an alarm generator 82. The outputfrom counter 76 is fed both to the And gate 80 and to the alarmgenerator 82. The output of alarm generator 82 is connected to an alarmsystem 84 and through a timer circuit 86 as a third input of the gate80. The output of gate 80 is connected to a driver mechanism 88 which isin turn connected to the actual bolt locking or other locking mechanism90.

With reference to FIG. 5, when the key device 10 is inserted into therecepticle 47 provided therefor (FIG. 1B) in the door 49 of the lockapparatus 60, a leaf switch 92 is closed and power is applied to theentire system; i.e., to the lock apparatus 60-and to the key device 10via the power terminals 24 and 26, as discussed hereinbefore.

When the system is activated and there is pulse transmission via theLEDs 38, 42 and 46, the transmissions are received by the LSDs 62, 64and 66 and then supplied to the register 74. The'DATA pulse train 54(FIG. 8) is entered at the serial input of the register and shiftedtherethrough by means of the CLOCK pulses 94.

The register 74 is comprised of two integrated circuits denoted IC6 andIC7 (FIG. 5), both of the SN 7495 type. The decoder 78 comprises theintegrated circuits IC8, IC9, IC10 and [C11, with IC8 and [C9 being ofthe SN 7404 type, IC10 being of the SN 7430 type and [C11 being of theSN 7400 type. The combination of IC6 and IC7 is sampled upon theoccurrence of every eighth CLOCK pulse and if coincidence occurs, thenIC10 is shifted to its 0 state and the output thereof is inverted to a Istate by means of the inverter amplifier portion of IC9. Upon theoccurrence of the eighth CLOCK pulse CNT 8, denoted by reference numeral96 in FIG. 8, the output of the decoder 78 is switched to its 0 state byvirtue of the pulse coincidence condition at IC ll. This 0 state outputpulse is applied as the input at terminal 98 of a retriggerablemonostable multivibrator which is schematically illustrated as [C14 ofthe SN 74 l 28 type and which comprises alarm generator 82.

[f continuous decode pulses persist to provide an input at terminal 98,then the output of [C14 will stay in its 1 state, whereat the pulseoutput will be present at pin 8 thereof to signify and maintain an opencondition of the lock apparatus 60. This is due to the fact that thecapacitor 100 connected between pins 11 and 13 of [C14 and resistor [02connected to pin 13 thereof provide a time constant which is longer thanthe period of twelve consecutive CLOCK pulses but of sufficiently shortduration so that the bolt actuating relay 104 of the bolt activatingamplifier [06 (H6. 6) will not remain constantly energized by a singledecode pulse applied to terminal 98. This feature of the system preventsthe use of multiple code picking devices for actuating the lockmechanism.

Should a burglar or other unauthorized personnel attempt to gain accessby inserting an improper key device in the receptiele provided thereforin the lock apparatus, then the following sequential operation willensue. The KEY-[N input, which is pin 1 of [C11, is switched to its 1state. This is usual, however, since this is the condition that occurswhenever power is applied to the system but OPEN will remain in its 1state due to the fact that there is no decode pulse at the output oflCll. Thus, the J input of the flip-flop [C13 of the SN 7473 typebecomes armed in its 1 state and if it remains thereaft upon the pulse96 (CNT 8) is switched to its 0 state, the output of [C13 is switched toits 1 state. When the output of [C13 is in its 1 state it forward biasesthe base to emitter junction of transistor Q via the coupling andvoltage divider biasing resistor 108 to cause current flow through thecollector to emitter circuit of the transistor. This conduction causescurrent flow through the relay coil 110 of the alarm holding relay [12.The relay [[2 has a pair of normally open contacts in its deenergizedcondition and a pair of normally closed contacts [14 in its energizedcondition. The normally open contacts are in parallel with the leafswitch 92 so that power remains applied to the system but the closing ofcontacts 114 activates any external type of alarm system connectedthereto.

The integrated circuit [C13 in conjunction with transistor 015 comprisesdriver mechanism 88.

[t is herein to be noted that the alarm system may be any type ofaudible or visual alarm, such as a bell, buzzer, light or relayactuating device to dial a predetermined telephone number to inform asecurity agency or a police agency of the unauthorized attempt at accessto the lock assembly.

The proper combination for a particular lock assembly is selected duringthe manufacture thereof by wiring of the inputs of [C10 to either theinput or output sides of the inverter amplifiers [C8 and [C9 and moreparticularly to pins 1 through 12 and pins 5 through 8 thereof,respectively. When the properly coded key device is used, the forcedreset (R) of [C13 will be switched to its 0 state when there is a DECODEoutput. This will reset the alarm holding relay [[2 by causing theoutput at pin 9 of [C13 to be switched to its 0 state and remove theforward bias on transistor 015. The circuit may also be reset frominside the lock apparatus by momentarily removing the power applied tothe system.

lt will thus be seen that there has been described a new and novelopto-electronic security system which is virtually tamperproof.

While there has been described the preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that thereare many changes, modifications and improvements which may be made inthe present invention without departing from the spirit and scopethereof as discussed and described in the foregoing specification.

What is claimed is:

1. An opto-electronic security system for controling locking means,comprising key means for producing distinct signal trains andtransmitting said signal trains as light signals in accordance with apredetermined code combination, and

lock means for receiving the light signals,

said lock means comprising alarm means and decoding means electricallyconnected to said locking means and said alarm means for decoding thelight signals in a predetermined manner whereby when the decoded signalscompare with the predetermined code combination said locking means isactuated and opened and when the decoded signals do not compare with thepredetermined code combination said locking means is maintained closedand the alarm means is activated.

2. An opto-electronic security system as claimed in claim 1, whereinsaid key means comprises timing means for delaying the transmission ofspecific light signals to said lock means.

3. An opto-electronic security system as claimed in claim 2, whereinsaid key means is absent of any electrical power supply means, and

said lock means includes a receptacle for accommodating the key meansand means for supplying electrical power to said key means when thelatter is inserted in saidreceptacle.

4. An opto-electronic security system as claimed in claim 3, whereinsaid key means comprises integrated circuit means for producing distinctelectrical signal trains of the predetermined code combination and lightemitting diode means electrically connected to the electrical signaltrain producing means for converting the electrical signal trains intolight signals of the same code combination.

5. An opto-electronic security system as claimed in claim 4, whereinsaid electrical signal train producing means of the key means comprisesoscillator means having an output,

clock signal generating means having an input electrically connected tothe output of said oscillator means, and

a plurality of outputs for providing clock pulses thereat,

counting means having an input electrically connected to an output ofthe clock signal generating means, and a pair of outputs, shift andgenerating means having a first input electrically connected to anoutput of the clock signal generating means, a second input electricallyconnected to a first output of said counting means, and a pair ofoutputs, parallel to serial shift register means having 6. Anopto-electronic security system as claimed in claim 5, wherein saidclock signal generating means is operative to disaid light sensingdiodesconverting light signals rean input electrically connected to the secondof said light emitting diode means of said key means comprising I afirst light emitting diode electrically connected to the second outputof said shift and clear generating means for transmitting clear" lightpulses,

a second light emitting diode electrically connected to an output ofsaid clock signal generating means for transmitting clock light pulses,

and

a third light emitting diode electrically connected to said output ofsaid shift register means for transmitting encoded data light pulses.

vide the output of said oscillator means by a factor of 2.

7. An opto-electronic security system as claimed in claim 6, whereinsaid counting means comprises a divide by 8 counter. 8. Anopto-electronic security system as claimed in claim 7, wherein claim 5,wherein said light emitting diodes transmit light pulses in th infraredrange of the spectrum.

10. An opto-electronic security system as claimed in claim 9, whereinsaid lock means comprises a plurality of light sensing diodes each ofwhich is disposed in optical align- 'ment with a corresponding one ofsaid light emitting diodes when said key means is in proper positionwithin saidtreceptacle,

ceived from said light emitting diodes into corresponding electricalsignals,

- each of said light sensing diodes having an output,

said decoding means comprising integrated circuit means having aplurality of inputs electrically coupled to the outputs of theamplifying means and a pair of outputs, and said decoding meansdetermining coincidence between said electrical signals produced by saidlight emitting diodes and said predetermined code combination.

11. An opto-electronic security system as claimed in claim 10, .whereinsaid lock means further comprises integrated circuit serial to parallelshift register means having a plurality of inputs each electricallyconnected to the output of a corresponding one of said amplifying vmeans and a plurality of outputs each electrically connected to acorresponding one of the inputs of said decoding means,

counting means having an input electrically connected to the output ofone of said amplifying means and a pair of outputs, and

additional timing means,

said alarm means havingan input electrically connected to an output ofsaid decoding means and an other input electrically connected to anoutput of said counting means, and

said locking means being electrically connected to an output of saidcounting means and to said additional timing means.

12. A light signal transmitter key apparatus, comprisintegrated circuitmeans for producing distinct electrical signal trains of a predeterminedcode combination; light emitting diode means connected to saidelectrical signal train producing means for converting I a plurality ofoutputs for providing clock pulses thereat, counting means having aninput electrically connected to an output of the clock signal generatingmeans, and, a pair of outputs, shift and clear generating means having afirst input electrically connected to an output of the clock signalgenerating means, a. second input electrically connected to a firstoutput of the counting means, and a pair of outputs, parallel to serialshift register means having an input electrically'connected to thesecond of said outputs of said counting means, an input electricallyconnected to an output off said clock signal generating means, an inputelectrically connected to an output of said shift and clear generatingmeans, and an output. 14. An opto-electronic security system as claimedin claim 13, wherein said clock signal generating means is operative todivide the output of said oscillator means by a factor of 2. 15. Anopto-electronic security system as claimed in claim 14, wherein saidcounting means comprises a divide by 8 counter. 16. An opto-electronicsecurity system as claimed in claim 15, wherein said clock signalgenerating means is operative to provide square wave clock pulses at theoutputs thereof. 17. A light signal transmitter key apparatus as claimedin claim 13, wherein to the output of said shift register means fortransmitting encoded data" light pulses. 18. A light signal transmitterkey apparatus as claimed in claim 17, wherein said light emitting diodestransmit light pulses in the infrared range of the spectrum.

* =l l l l

1. An opto-electronic security system for controling locking means,comprising key means for producing distinct signal trains andtransmitting said signal trains as light signals in accordance with apredetermined code combination, and lock means for receiving the lightsignals, said lock means comprising alarm means and decoding meanselectrically connected to said locking means and said alarm means fordecoding the light signals in a predetermined manner whereby when thedecoded signals compare with the predetermined code combination saidlocking means is actuated anD opened and when the decoded signals do notcompare with the predetermined code combination said locking means ismaintained closed and the alarm means is activated.
 2. Anopto-electronic security system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said keymeans comprises timing means for delaying the transmission of specificlight signals to said lock means.
 3. An opto-electronic security systemas claimed in claim 2, wherein said key means is absent of anyelectrical power supply means, and said lock means includes a receptaclefor accommodating the key means and means for supplying electrical powerto said key means when the latter is inserted in said receptacle.
 4. Anopto-electronic security system as claimed in claim 3, wherein said keymeans comprises integrated circuit means for producing distinctelectrical signal trains of the predetermined code combination and lightemitting diode means electrically connected to the electrical signaltrain producing means for converting the electrical signal trains intolight signals of the same code combination.
 5. An opto-electronicsecurity system as claimed in claim 4, wherein said electrical signaltrain producing means of the key means comprises oscillator means havingan output, clock signal generating means having an input electricallyconnected to the output of said oscillator means, and a plurality ofoutputs for providing clock pulses thereat, counting means having aninput electrically connected to an output of the clock signal generatingmeans, and a pair of outputs, shift and generating means having a firstinput electrically connected to an output of the clock signal generatingmeans, a second input electrically connected to a first output of saidcounting means, and a pair of outputs, parallel to serial shift registermeans having an input electrically connected to the second of saidoutput of said counting means, an input electrically connected to anoutput of said clock signal generating means, an input generallyconnected to the first output of said shift and clear generating means,and an output, and said light emitting diode means of said key meanscomprising a first light emitting diode electrically connected to thesecond output of said shift and clear generating means for transmitting''''clear'''' light pulses, a second light emitting diode electricallyconnected to an output of said clock signal generating means fortransmitting ''''clock'''' light pulses, and a third light emittingdiode electrically connected to said output of said shift register meansfor transmitting encoded ''''data'''' light pulses.
 6. Anopto-electronic security system as claimed in claim 5, wherein saidclock signal generating means is operative to divide the output of saidoscillator means by a factor of
 2. 7. An opto-electronic security systemas claimed in claim 6, wherein said counting means comprises a divide by8 counter.
 8. An opto-electronic security system as claimed in claim 7,wherein said clock signal generating means is operative to providesquare wave clock pulses at the outputs thereof.
 9. An opto-electronicsecurity system as claimed in claim 5, wherein said light emittingdiodes transmit light pulses in the infrared range of the spectrum. 10.An opto-electronic security system as claimed in claim 9, wherein saidlock means comprises a plurality of light sensing diodes each of whichis disposed in optical alignment with a corresponding one of said lightemitting diodes when said key means is in proper position within saidreceptacle, said light sensing diodes converting light signals receivedfrom said light emitting diodes into corresponding electrical signals,each of said light sensing diodes having an output, a plurality ofamplifying means each having an input electrically connected to theoutput of a correspoNding one of said light sensing diodes and eachhaving an output for providing amplified electrical signals thereat,said decoding means comprising integrated circuit means having aplurality of inputs electrically coupled to the outputs of theamplifying means and a pair of outputs, and said decoding meansdetermining coincidence between said electrical signals produced by saidlight emitting diodes and said predetermined code combination.
 11. Anopto-electronic security system as claimed in claim 10, wherein saidlock means further comprises integrated circuit serial to parallel shiftregister means having a plurality of inputs each electrically connectedto the output of a corresponding one of said amplifying means and aplurality of outputs each electrically connected to a corresponding oneof the inputs of said decoding means, counting means having an inputelectrically connected to the output of one of said amplifying means anda pair of outputs, and additional timing means, said alarm means havingan input electrically connected to an output of said decoding means andanother input electrically connected to an output of said countingmeans, and said locking means being electrically connected to an outputof said counting means and to said additional timing means.
 12. A lightsignal transmitter key apparatus, comprising integrated circuit meansfor producing distinct electrical signal trains of a predetermined codecombination; light emitting diode means connected to said electricalsignal train producing means for converting said electrical signaltrains into light signals of the same code combination, and saidtransmitter being absent of any electrical power supply source andadapted to be connected with an external power source.
 13. A lightsignal transmitter key apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein saidelectrical signal train producing means comprises oscillator meanshaving an output, clock signal generating means having an inputelectrically connected to the output of said oscillator means, and aplurality of outputs for providing clock pulses thereat, counting meanshaving an input electrically connected to an output of the clock signalgenerating means, and, a pair of outputs, shift and clear generatingmeans having a first input electrically connected to an output of theclock signal generating means, a second input electrically connected toa first output of the counting means, and a pair of outputs, parallel toserial shift register means having an input electrically connected tothe second of said outputs of said counting means, an input electricallyconnected to an output off said clock signal generating means, an inputelectrically connected to an output of said shift and clear generatingmeans, and an output.
 14. An opto-electronic security system as claimedin claim 13, wherein said clock signal generating means is operative todivide the output of said oscillator means by a factor of
 2. 15. Anopto-electronic security system as claimed in claim 14, wherein saidcounting means comprises a divide by 8 counter.
 16. An opto-electronicsecurity system as claimed in claim 15, wherein said clock signalgenerating means is operative to provide square wave clock pulses at theoutputs thereof.
 17. A light signal transmitter key apparatus as claimedin claim 13, wherein said light emitting diode means comprises a firstlight emitting diode electrically connected to another output of saidshift and clear generating means for transmitting ''''clear'''' lightpulses, a second light emitting diode electrically connected to anotheroutput of the clock generating means for transmitting ''''clock''''light pulses, and a third light emitting diode electrically connected tothe output of said shift register means for transmitting encoded''''data'''' lighT pulses.
 18. A light signal transmitter key apparatusas claimed in claim 17, wherein said light emitting diodes transmitlight pulses in the infrared range of the spectrum.